Car Hire in Europe

Car hire is very competitive in Europe, with many companies large and small spruiking their wares at desks in the arrival lounges of most holiday destination airports. It also seems that every little local company has a website offering you cut rates!

Bargains and Horror Stories

If you know the company or have a reliable recommendation, you can pick up reasonable bargains (I've done it myself) but I've also heard horror stories about poor quality cars and no car being available in the class ordered. You also hear about people getting whacked with expensive extras when they turn up at the desk.

Safe does not have to be expensive

It's true that some of the international hire companies can be expensive, so nowadays I tend to hire via an aggregator like our affiliate Auto Europe who are big enough to be reliable (and jealous of their reputation) when I need to book ahead.

Basically, they get their cars etc. from a number of different sources in the different countries. Because they're so big they have the clout to get some excellent rates and you can book online with confidence. What's more, they have a whole range of services available, so it's convenient to be able to bundle your options. Their booking system is pretty slick too, get your quote on the spot!

Auto Europe has been in business for more than 50 years, so they must be doing something right! Their services include over 6,000 car rental locations worldwide, prestige and sports car rentals (Ferrari, anyone?!); airport transfers and chauffeured cars; motorhome (campervan or RV) rentals, and even mobile phone and GPS rentals. They do Peugeot short-term tourist leases ("buy-back cars") as well, check out our comments on buy-back leasing here

Service-orientated

These guys are very service-orientated and give you a 24hr toll-free international Customer Service Hotline which is comforting, although I've never used it myself.

Here's a video they made at their US head office about their services, note the bit about how they check instantly if anyone claims to find a lower price so they can adjust their rates to beat it!

Travel Guides for Europe & Beyond

With Auto Europe, you can rent a car at over 8,000 locations worldwide. They have put together these guides to give you more information about international car rental. For even more information, check out their Travel Resources.

Save Money by "Buy-Back" Leasing

If you live outside the European Union and are driving in Europe for 17 days or longer, "Buy-Back" Leasing may be just right for you. Provided you meet the requirements, you can save money and get behind the wheel of a factory-new car from Peugeot, and at the end of your trip they'll buy it back from you at a guaranteed price. All Buy-Backs include insurance.

Buy Back Cars Feature:

Lease rates guaranteed in US dollars.

Unlimited mileage.

24-hour roadside assistance.

Non-deductible fully comprehensive insurance.

Exempt from European VAT (value-added-taxes), road taxes and airport charges.

Minimum age 18 years, no maximum age (unlike many rental car agreements).

Buy Backs are available for any non-European Union citizen.

European Union citizens living outside the E.U. can take advantage of the Buy Back program.